It’s FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Super Sunday

Germany vs Mexico and Brazil vs Switzerland. Two of the tournament favourites will kick-start their FIFA World Cup 2018 campaign.

FIFA World Cup Russia 2018’s football fever has already found a home in our heart, but today it will reach a new height. Two of the tournament favourites’ Brazil and Germany will kick-start their campaign on FIFA World Cup Russia 2018’s Super Sunday.

Brazil will take on Switzerland later on the night whereas Germany will enjoy an evening out with CONCACAF’s most successful team Mexico. However, Super Sunday will kick start with Group E game between Costa Rica and Serbia, but it won’t be the focus of today.

Brazil and Germany are expected to steal the limelight today. Five-times and four-time World champion, Brazil, and Germany respectively are the pre-tournament favourite and how they start their campaign will definitely impact their press coverage.

Germany 2-1 lost against Austria in the friendly before the World Cup raises concern, although they played the game with their second fiddle. How Die Mannschaft shape up against Mexico will reflect their preparation for the World Cup. It will also reflect how good current champion are to defend their title this summer.

Mexico won’t be an easy team to run riot. They have very good individual players as well. Javier Hernandez (Chicharito), Carlos Vela, and Hirving Lozano will form a very formidable attacking options up front. Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado, and Miguel Layun also hold a very good midfield line and safeguarded by Hector Moreno and Hugo Ayala. Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa has already proved his point in 2014 World Cup.

There is not much to talk about Mexico lineup, but plenty to talk about Germany lineup. Joachim Low has been unpredictable with his playing XI and he has tested his bench strength in pre World Cup friendlies. How he lines up Germany in World Cup finals will be a real challenge considering the talent in the squad.

Lack of no.9 in Germany squad makes Timo Werner place safe in the playing XI. Brazil 2014 World Cup starter Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng, and legendary captain Philip Lahm’s replacement Joshua Kimmich is expected to start the game and the rest creates doubt. If fit Borussia Dortmund’s star Marco Reus is also expected to start, whereas Mesut Ozil, Julian Draxler, Jonas Hector, and Julian Brandt will have to fight for their place.

However, whatever lineup Joachim Low prepares to face Mexico, Germany is always going to be favourite. Surprises await but let’s see how defending champion reacts to defend their title.

It goes same with the first to qualify for Russia 2018 World Cup – Brazil. South American giants are favourite to lift the World Cup in Russia as always. They have a young squad but they have been playing together very well since Tite taken over managerial job at Selecao.

You name any position and they have stars at each of those positions. They have attacking players in Neymar, Phillipe Coutinho, Firmino, Diego Costa, Willian, and Gabriel Jesus. A midfield comprises of Paulinho, Fred, Casemiro, Fernandinho, and Renato Augusto. Left-back and right-back comprises of Marcelo and Danilo. PSG centre-back duo Marquinhos and Thiago Silva is also there along with shot-stopper Ederson.

How are Switzerland going to tackle with this star-studded Brazil side is the real question? But, we have seen minnows making the most of the hype of producing a good game and Switzerland at least have some good players to confront the challenge. Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka, Valon Behrami, Breel Embolo, Stephen Lichsteiner, Ricardo Rodriguez, Blerim Dzemailli, and Fabian Schar are some of their international names who have world-class exposure playing in England, Italy, Germany, and Spain.

We expect to see a good match in the prime time game. And, before that Germany vs Mexico shouldn’t be a one sided affair. The drama should continue and Mexico must not give up against the defending champion.